Study to become a doctor in Spain. The best universities and courses with recognized quality. No entrance exam, no tuition fees and visa included. At careerkeg you will find the best universities offering Medicine in Spain taught in English, which has recently been declared as the most prestigious degree by the World Health Organization (WHO). Studying Medicine abroad is an excellent opportunity for your future career and development.
Continuing your education in medicine in a country as beautiful as Spain is not just an opportunity, it’s the chance of the lifetime. And now you can study medicine in Spain in English!
In Spain, there are numerous medical schools and universities that welcome foreign students. In addition, the language used in these educational facilities is English. There are many options to choose from when it comes to studying Medicine in Spain.
Study Medicine in Spain in English
Studying medicine in Spain is a great way to get your medical degree and study abroad. Spanish universities offer English-taught degrees for international students, making it easy to get your MBBS in Spain even if you don’t speak Spanish.
We’ve outlined the best universities in Spain for studying medicine in English, along with their entry requirements and fees.
Study Medicine In Spain In English
Spain is a great country for studying medicine. The country has a rich history and culture, which makes it a great place to live in. Moreover, the weather is always pleasant there. You can enjoy your study in Spain as well as have fun.
Spain’s medical system is one of the best in Europe. The country has many universities that offer excellent education at affordable costs. If you are interested in studying medicine in Spain, here are some important things that should be considered before making your decision:
1) The Admissions Process:
The admissions process for studying medicine in Spain depends on the university you want to apply for. Some universities accept applications from international students while others do not allow them at all. Therefore, it is important to know whether or not your university accepts international students before you apply there because if they do not then there will be no point applying there at all
Studying medicine in Spain is a great way to combine your love of travel with your passion for helping others. The country has a rich history and beautiful culture, and the people are friendly and welcoming.
There are many options for studying medicine in Spain, but one of the most popular is to enroll in an English-language program at one of the country’s universities. This will allow you to focus on your studies while living in a new country without having to worry about learning Spanish or dealing with communication barriers.
The best way to study medicine in Spain is to do it in English. Studying medicine in a foreign language will help prepare you for the rigors of practicing medicine in the United States or anywhere else in the world.
While studying medicine in Spain, you will be given more time to learn and experience life outside the classroom. This will make you a better doctor when you graduate from medical school and enter the workforce.
You can expect to pay about $13,000 for tuition fees per semester at one of Spain’s most prestigious universities, like Complutense or Autónoma de Madrid. This price includes room and board as well as books and other supplies required for your classes.
If you’re interested in studying medicine in Spain, you’ve come to the right place!
At [company name], we are here to help you find the best program for your goals and needs. We have been helping students like you since [year founded].
We are committed to providing comprehensive, unbiased information about studying medicine abroad. We believe that every student should have all of the information they need to make an informed decision about their education. That’s why we offer a free consultation with one of our experts. This consultation will allow us to understand your background, interests, goals and concerns so that we can match you with the best program for your needs.
We also offer a variety of resources including:
-A database of programs based on location, language requirements and other factors
-A guide on how to apply for medical school in Spain
-An overview of all the necessary steps involved in applying for medical school in Spain.
1. What are the requirements to be enrolled in Spanish medical schools?
Applicants need to submit their high school diploma (for Bologna process countries) and transcript or equivalent to study medicine in Spain.
International students also need to take the BioMedical Admissions Test (BMAT) for schools such as Universidad de Navara and CEU Cardenal Herrera. Administered by Cambridge Admissions Testing, this English-language exam assesses one’s knowledge in Science and Math. The BMAT is not limited to the 2 Spanish schools though, as this can also be used to enter medical schools in the UK, Asia, and most parts of Europe.
After presenting such requirements, an applicant needs to undergo preregistration. Here, the school takes all the applications from all over the country and evaluates the applicants’ grades. The general cut-off is 12.5, although the higher the marks are, the better.
While a good grade is important, you may enter through a special admission system if you meet any of the following:
- In possession of university degree or equivalent (2% of slots)
- Aged 25 years old and above but passed the university entrance exam (3%)
- Aged 40-45 years (2%) and 45 years above (1%)
- Degree of disability (5%)
- High-performance athletes (3%)
Private schools usually have more requirements. At the CEU Universidad Cardenal Herrera, an interview (personal or through Skype) is needed. At the Universidad Europea, applicants need to take an admissions test that includes an interview. This helps determines the student’s general knowledge, language proficiency, skills, and abilities.
Since most medical schools teach in Spanish or Spanish and English, proficiency with these languages is required. Accepted Spanish certifications include Certificados Homologados (UNICERT/CLES), Escuela oficial de Idiomas, Business Language Training Service, Instituto de Cervantes – Diploma de Espanol, and the European Language Certificate.
As for English certifications, exams such as the TOEFL, Cambridge, and PTE are accepted.
2. In what language do you study medicine in Spain?
Most medical schools use Spanish as their primary teaching language. There are some schools, CEU Universidad Cardenal Herrera, who use a mix of English (48%) and Spanish (50%). The same applies to the University of Barcelona, where English is used to teach part of the academic hours.
3. Can you study medicine in Spain as an international student?
Yes. You need to submit the necessary documents and accomplish other requirements (entrance test, interview, etc.) to be able to study medicine in Spain.
4. What are the components of the medical curriculum in this country?
The Spanish medical curriculum, as with most EU countries, lasts for 6 years. It covers a total of 360 ECTS, wherein 1 ECTS is equal to 10 classroom hours and 15 student workload hours.
The first two years of studying medicine in Spain cover pre-clinical studies or basic training. At the CEU Universidad Cardenal Herrera, these two years include subjects in Anatomy, Biology, Biochemistry, Physiology, Bioethics, Biophysics, Histology, and Genetics.
The third to fifth years cover the compulsory clinical subjects. At the University of Barcelona, these include Histology, Immunology, Pharmacology, Genetics, Radiology, Surgery, Cardiology, and Otorhinolaryngology, to name a few.
Elective subjects are also taken from the third to fifth years.
The last year focuses on clinical rotations. These include exposures to hospitals, state clinics, and community centers.
A school project of 6 credits is also required before graduation.
5. How many medical schools are in Spain?
There are 42 medical schools in Spain. 31 of them are public (centers), while 11 are private. These are located through Madrid, Catalonia, Andalusia, Cantabria, and Extremadura, to name a few.
6. How difficult is it to study medicine in Spain?
Spanish medical schools may be hard to get in to because of numerus clausus or the limited number of admissions. This has increased throughout the years though, from 4,500 places in the year 2001 to 5,700 slots in the present.
Compared to other countries, Spanish medical schools do not offer academic support such as tutoring and personal counseling. The lack of this makes it harder to study medicine in Spain.
Students who may not be that proficient with Spanish may find studying in Spain quite a challenge as well. This is especially the case during clinical rotations, as patients and some hospital employees only converse in Spanish.
After graduating, medical students are met with another challenge: the lack of residency slots. While the numerus clausus for medical schools has risen steadily throughout the years, the residency slots haven’t. This may force Spanish medical school graduates, whether local or foreign, to pursue training outside of the country.
7. What do you need to become a doctor in this country?
After graduation, physicians must undergo post-graduate training or MIR (Medico Interno Residente). This allows the graduate to train in any of the 50 specialties available after studying medicine in Spain. The 225-item, 5-hour-long MIR exam costs 30 Euros and is held every February. Those who pass start their 3-to-5-year training in May – about a year after medical school graduation. About 6,800 MIR slots are available annually. However, this is not enough to cater to the new graduates, who are vying for slots alongside repeat-takers and foreign medical graduates. The latter, however, is only limited to a 4% quota.
Those who wish to practice as a doctor in Spain may register with the Order of Physicians at his/her location. This costs about 60 to 70 Euros.
Requirements for EU, EEA, and Swiss graduates include:
- Medical diploma
- Recognized title of Doctor from the Ministry of Health
- Spanish proficiency – B2 level
- Proof of residence
- License from the home country, if applicable
Non-EU graduates need to submit additional documents, including an NIE number, work & residence permit, and equivalency certificate from the Ministry of Education, Culture, and Sports.
So, to sum up, the top reasons on why to study medicine in Spain are:
- Internationally-renowned universities: Spain has highly ranked universities, with five of them even ranking in the top 200 worldwide universities for medicine.
- Great international student community: Back in 2015, there were only 153,193 international students in Spanish universities, which has increased by almost 30% within three years.
- Beautiful culture: Spanish culture is entertaining, impressive, and exceptional. With the flamenco dance, great food, and an untiring desire to live life to the fullest, Spain is undoubtedly a place to study and relax.
- Affordable tuition fees: In comparison to destinations like the US, Australia, or the UK, the cost of studying medicine for international students in Spain is both affordable and reasonable.
How to Study Medicine in Spain?
Studying medicine in Spain, and in any other country as an international student, means you will have to meet specific requirements, related to previous education, student visa, and language requirements. Students who have completed previous education outside of Spain should first apply to verify their qualifications, at the Spanish embassy in their country. In order to study medicine in Spain, international students are usually required to speak the Spanish language, considering that most programmes are taught in Spanish.
Spanish universities offering Medicine degrees were among the first in the Spanish higher education system to introduce a limited number of available open positions known as ‘numerus clausus’. Meaning, medical schools in Spain have a maximum number of students they can admit. The reason for the limitation of open positions was to allow students to get better practical knowledge and avoid overcrowding during hospital training.
After gaining admission to a medical school in Spain, students travelling from non-EU countries must also obtain a student visa to enter and reside in Spain. International students can apply for their student visa at the closest Spanish embassy or consulate in their home country.
The required documents for a Spanish student visa typically include the following:
- Completed visa application form(s).
- Valid passport.
- Valid ID.
- Two recent passport photos.
- Letter of acceptance.
- Health insurance.
- Proof of financial stability.
How Long Does it Take to Study Medicine in Spain?
It will take approximately six years to study medicine in Spain and fully complete a medical programme. The two first years focus on pre-clinical medicine study, which will teach the fundamentals of medical sciences in biology, physics, basic anatomy, physiology, and the normal and abnormal processes within the organ systems. Usually, this is the only period students will have a dedicated time to learn the basic fundamentals of medicine. After having completed pre-clinical training, students will begin their clinical studies under the supervision of doctors. After six years, students can proceed to their specialisation for further training.
Can I Study Medicine in Spain in English?
In general, to study medicine in Spain in English, students must know a bit of the Spanish language as well. Most medical programmes are in Spanish, with only a few exceptions where universities mix English and Spanish. You will likely be able to find more English-taught medical programmes at private universities than public universities. If you are interested in pursuing a medical degree and are willing to learn the Spanish language (or already can speak Spanish), you should definitely consider the higher education expertise Spain has to offer.
How Much Does it Cost to Study Medicine in Spain?
The fees to study medicine in Spain are reasonable and relatively inexpensive, especially in comparison to larger international student hubs, like the US. Just like in any other country, there are significant differences between tuition fees in public and private universities, where private universities have higher tuition fees across their degree programmes.
As to how much it costs to study medicine in Spain for international students, it is fair to say Spanish universities have among the lowest tuition fees in Europe. Specifically, undergraduate programmes can range up to €3,000 per year. At private universities, who set their own fees, the cost of studying medicine can go as high as €20,000 per year.
Which Are the Top Medical Schools in Spain?
The top medical schools in Spain are also continuously ranked among the top worldwide universities. For example, QS World University Rankings in the field of medicine ranks 5 Spanish universities among the top 200 worldwide universities. Medical schools in Spain are renowned for their state-of-the-art equipment, facilities, and academic excellence.
Here are the top medical schools in Spain:
1. University of Barcelona
The University of Barcelona in Spain prides itself for its quality and tradition in medical teaching and training. This university has been training many generations of great doctors, who have made their best contributions to society. The medicine teaching programme at the University of Barcelona pays a lot of attention to the practical component. It includes rotations and clinical practice in many primary care centres and hospitals affiliated to the faculty. Their students get to interact with some of the best professionals in the field of medicine.
2. Autonomous University of Barcelona
The programme in medicine at the Autonomous University of Barcelona is characterised by its teaching quality and a study plan through clinical practices. Through this programme, students integrate into the competitive research environment and become familiar with the latest scientific advances. Students get to obtain the most specialised medical knowledge earning practical skills at the largest healthcare centres in the university’s vicinity. Apart from this, exceptional importance is placed in gaining communication and teamwork skills, which are often crucial in the profession.
3. Autonomous University of Madrid
This university, located in the Spanish capital, has a dedicated medicine campus north of Madrid. The medical programme at this university is renowned for its educational quality and its teaching and learning methods and facilities. Students get to obtain the necessary skills to become great at their profession and, then, be able to contribute to society for the better. Studying medicine at this university means you will gain your knowledge from one of the best schools in Spain.
4. Complutense University of Madrid
The Faculty of Medicine at the Complutense University of Madrid is known for its excellence and expertise. This university has one of the highest demands for studies in this area, providing programmes in medicine, pharmacy, veterinary medicine, dentistry, nursing, physiotherapy, psychology, etc. Students learn from the finest teaching methods, clinics, and laboratories to obtain the crucial aspects of medicine and their chosen profession.
5. University of Navarra
Also listed among the top medical schools in Spain, the University of Navarra provides its students with the best possible quality, environment, equipment, and facilities to succeed in their profession. The School of Medicine at this university maintains 31 exchange programmes with prestigious universities in 16 countries worldwide, providing students with the possibility to earn international experience and get a global outlook in the world of medicine.